McConnell Says Bill Clinton Is His Electoral Rabbit’s Foot

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that former President Bill Clinton can stump in Kentucky whenever he wants, characterizing the Democratic icon as his election good-luck charm.

Clinton campaigned in Louisville earlier Tuesday for McConnell’s Democratic opponent, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, who has put the Republican-leaning state in play for Democrats. Grimes’ father, Jerry Lundergan, is a longtime Democratic operative and ally of the powerful Clinton family.

McConnell, who faces opposition from Grimes on his left and tea-party-backed Matt Bevin on his right, seemed unfazed by the political activity at home.

“I welcome him back,” McConnell told reporters in the Capitol.

“The last time he ran in 1996 he eked out a narrow victory in Kentucky, while I beat the current governor by 160,000 votes, 10 points,” McConnell said. “In 2008, both Bill and Hillary Clinton came to town, including the day before the election, and I won by 100,000 votes. So I welcome President Clinton back to Kentucky. Every time he’s come its been really good for me.”

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., continued to face questions over whether President Barack Obama should campaign for embattled Senate Democrats. He dismissed a question on the issue pegged to Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., who in a recent CNN interview declined to say whether he’d want Obama on the trail with him.

Reid, who knows a thing or two about tough re-election bids, did seem more bullish on Clinton’s help to Democrats than McConnell.

“We do have one president that’s been going every place and that’s Clinton. He’s traveling around campaigning for everybody, doing a great job,” Reid told reporters.

The Tuesday event for Grimes was streamed live by national networks, and the Grimes campaign immediately shot out a fundraising email touting Clinton’s appearance. The money and attention is helping Grimes prepare for a highly competitive general election, which officially kicks off following the May 20 GOP primary.

The Kentucky Senate race is rated Leans Republican by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.

INSTAPUNDIT: WELL, CLINTON IS EMBLEMATIC OF THE DEMOCRATS’ EMBRACE OF “RAPE CULTURE:” McConnell: I’m happy to have Bill Clinton campaign against me.

Brittany Myers

THE GOP and their obsession with SEX and RAPE all in their WAR ON WOMEN……..NO one was ever raped, and Monica was NOT a child or a TEEN she was a full grown adult that took it upon herself to do what she did. Nice try tea bags.

Rick Caird

So, it is impossible, according to the lovely Brittany, for a 50 year old leader of the free world to take advantage of a 21 year old intern. Good to know. I assume that applies to everyone else in the country, too. Right, Brittany?

Aaron1960

Clinton did pay a $500k fine and court costs plus, committed perjury to a judge he appointed(!) lost his law license. But he’s your felon. Give him a big hug!

Tango Sierra

Democrats war on women: Abuse them and blame it on the Republicans.

Bob Marley

Any time you can get a sexual predator to campaign for your opponent is a good thing.

Brittany Myers

Sexual predator, she was 22 years old. STFU you tea baggers.

Rick Caird

So polite that Brittany. A real credit to her sex and philosophy.

Rick Caird

I can’t wait for Clinton to bring up the “War on women” meme.

Brittany Myers

Clinton has every right to bring it up, it’s your party that has a WAR on women idiot.

Rick Caird

LOL, sure raping political supporters and “not having sex” with 21 year old interns could never be construed as a war on women. Nor could having people on staff to tamp down “bimbo eruptions” or having Hillary going on TV to claim there was a ast right wing conspiracy against them.

Good work Brittany. You prove there can never be a war on woman as long as the Clintons are in politics.